I like to wear a tin foil hat to some degree. So to read a romance novel centered around the MMC being a conspiracy theorist was interesting. The plot was so entertaining and paced really well. It was fun to read about aliens and Bigfoot etc. This was a somewhat lighthearted read and certainly goofy. But the subplot held some heavy weight. With that being said I really enjoyed this book.

Hayden & Hallie were such fun and likable characters. The banter between these two will have you blushing and kicking your feet in the air. I loved witnessing Hallie’s growth throughout the book

I DNF’ed this one just before 20% as I just couldn’t get over how Buzzfeed coded it was. Putting the modern aspects of the internet into books is a tricky thing to get right without it being cringey and unfortunately, this one landed on the wrong side of cringe for me.

This was an unexpected new favorite of mine. As a skeptic just like Hallie, I absolutely devoured this book as much as Hayden consumes conspiracy theories. I really enjoyed the way their flaws were perfectly matched as if they were always fated to be as they found the ultimate mystery… true love.


Thank you so much NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Hayden and Hallie are EVERYTHIIIIIIIIIING. I loved, loved, loved this spectacular book. Give me a tattooed, cryptid-hunting love interest any day. I'm all about the skeptic vs. believer vibes, and these two complemented each other so well. Can't wait for my pre-ordered copy to arrive so I can re-read.

I am someone who believes in conspiracies and cryptids. I love learning new details about these things. The topics discussed can be heavy for some people who have been in a relationship similar to Hallie & Cade, but all around I loved the book.

Being a debut novel, the lightheartedness and goofy aspects of the book were perfect. I haven't read many rom-coms, but this has pushed me in the direction of wanting to get more into them. I cannot wait to read Love At First Sighting!

This novel is hands down one of my favorite contemporary romances I've read in years. It just felt so fun, I can not wait for it to be published and I can start recommending it to my patrons and book club members.

Hallie is dumped by her boyfriend and coworker which causes her life to implode. She needs to present a show for her company competition otherwise she will lose her job. Inspiration strikes one night while watching late night tv when she sees Hayden passionately discussing Bigfoot. Hayden is a cryptid expert who has made a name for himself through his podcast. When Hallie offers him a chance to produce a tv show he takes it but soon learns he is not as strong on camera an he is on mic so Hallie jumps in to provide a dose of skepticism and they have instant chemistry. As they investigate the mysterious world of cryptids they may also learn to love again.

I thought the plot of this book was super entertaining and the cover had me hooked immediately. the pacing was fast but believable which made for an easy read. The characters were quirky and likable which had you routing for them and their chemistry was undeniable. There was strong banter which is my favorite. I would definitely recommend reading this book.

This made for a charming vacation read. I chose to read the book because the cover gave me a bit of an X-Files vibe. The protagonist is a skeptical producer who needs a hit show. She doesn’t believe in Bigfoot or aliens but she does believe Hayden, who has a podcast about supernatural stuff, would make a compelling host for a show. The protagonists have an easy to believe chemistry. I was expecting a bit more conflict in the story between the Hallie and Hayden, but maybe that’s just how my brain has been trained to read romance books. Thanks to NetGalley for the Arc.

Super cute romance involving a podcaster and a video creator. I loved that element of modern technology, but mostly I enjoyed the story of the two main characters. They were relatable, funny, and emotional.

Okay could this book be any cuter?!?
Hayden is covered in tattoos, has a cat named Cthulhu, and makes slideshows about his interests. Adorable. Add in waffle knit Henley shirts???? STOP ITTTTT.
This book is definitely for fans of Buzzfeed unsolved/ supernatural and watcher ghost files/ mystery files.

I absolutely devoured this book. Stayed up way past my bedtime… with a newborn baby even…
I am the target audience with my love of the paranormal, conspiracy theories and cryptids.. and hot tattooed men. However, I believe you can still enjoy this book even if you have no prior knowledge of any crypids or the like. My favorite thing about this book is the MCs always treat each other with respect.
He washes her hair!! Dream man much? Last but not least any one bed romance book is bound to be a fave in my mind and this one definitely delivers!


TW from the author: overcoming a past toxic relationship, workplace harassment by an ex-partner, past death of a parent from a terminal illness, mentions of caretaking for an ill family member, discussions of depression, recreational alcohol and marijuana usage, sexual content, and language. For anyone who may be sensitive to these topics, please read with care.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing this book for review. As always, all opinions are my own.

Let me preface this by saying that I am the harshest on romance novels. It is my preferred genre and thusly I am the most critical. I have STANDARDS,

Love & Other Conspiracies met almost every single one of them. (Except one, but we’ll get to that.)

I need a good mix of both the internal and the external. I need to like the main character and the love interest. I require some DEPTH. I want the smut to be compelling. And I need there to be an actual plot.

Make me fall in love alongside the main character.

Mallory Marlowe did so EXPERTLY.

When I tell you I was hooked the moment this landed in my hands, I mean it. I DEVOURED this book in a matter of days. This is the rom-com of my dreams.

I love Hallie. She’s confident… enough. Enough to be trusted with spearheading a show but her self-esteem is shot thanks to her ex, Cade. (This is an anti-Cade space.) Sadly, they both work at the same company which doesn’t at all resemble a certain company, (cough, Buzzfeed, cough). Cade is on-screen talent while Hallie has been the one propping him up behind the scene for years. When she finally drops him, she manages to get her groove back when she finds Hayden, a true believer and host of The Out There. Whose podcast she turns into a web series. But the last thing our blue-haired skeptic thought she might believe in was love. Hallie herself is a solid character. She tries her best to stand out, but due to Cade being a smarmy toxic douchecanoe, her self-esteem isn’t the greatest. But she TRIES. She has moments of negative self-talk, but she is aware of where that comes from and tries to counter it. She is a woman taking back control in a realistic way. And I love her.

Let’s talk about our love interest, Hayden Hargrove, a dark-haired, baritone-voiced, tall, handsome man. (Is it a conspiracy that this description fits so many male love interests in romance novels?) A legacy in story-telling (keep reading to unlock his backstory). Handsome, charismatic, tattooed, and the sweetest full-blown conspiracy theorist. Until he meets Hallie, who turns his work into a web series and turns into his co-host. He’s swoon-rwothingly handsome (as we are constantly shown). And I don’t just mean physically. Oh I am well acquainted with the rugged, GQ worthy love interest. But HAyden is nerdy. He’s SWEET. He cares. He listens to Hallie. He is exuberant about his work but also about being around her.

Congrats, Mallory Marlowe. I want this book boyfriend and his kick-ass tattoos. Oh, and his cat.

Love stories live and die on their main couple. And these two don’t just have fireworks. They are nebulas fading into each other. One pushes, the other pulls. They balance each other out so well. The chemistry is about as palpable as how my pulse jumped a few times. (Hallie might not believe in ghosts, but I do.)

There are some genuinely stressful moments. Both Hallie and Hayden come with baggage. Hallie with her toxic (ie see smarmy) ex, Cade. Hayden with the heaviness of having been his father’s primary caretaker through his terminal illness. Love & Other Conpsiraces isn’t just a love story, but an exploration of how our recent traumas can impact our relationships. And it is well done. There are times when I don’t LIKE how Hallie responds to her ex. But it makes complete and total sense. Especially for someone who is narrowly avoiding contact in the same workplace with him.

It also explores how being a woman in media, particularly online media, means you are under much heavier scrutiny than your male counterparts.

Now, I normally don’t like the break into the third act. Particularly in romance novels. It either is going to make me feel things, or more often than not, it feels contrived and I am rolling my eyes going “Really?” This book’s break into the third act not only has a fake out, which I ADORED. (A potentially stressful thing occurs and the couple communicates well with each other and it becomes a non-issue because they have an adult conversation? That’s HOT!)

Now, for the one minor thing that I didn’t really care for. Hallie is INSTANTLY physically attracted to Hayden. Valid, he’s a 10. But we hear about it pretty often as part of the building that tension of the will they, on’t they? I just prefer a more subtle build-up. This is entirely my personal preference.

In summary, I pre-ordered this when I was about 100 pages in because I need to own this. Mallory Marlowe is an author to watch. I devoured this book in less than 72 hours. If you like Buzzfeed Unsolved, you’ll probably like this rom-com.

When I first came across this book, it was after a day of having a passionate discussion regarding werewolves versus werecoyotes and learning of my best friend’s love of Mothman. So of course, I had to request this book.

I would 100% watch The Out There. Clearly I am the right audience. The amount of amazing cryptid quotes I highlighted from this book is astonishing and I definitely read some of them to my friends over lunch. Basically, this book gave me all the giggles while also having a good wholesome , heart wrenching love story all about intense emotional growth.

Hallie’s growth throughout the story is awe worthy. She is so relatable and the struggles she has gone through are some so many women experience. Also, can we give a round of applause for this book not having a third act breakup?

I WANT TO BELIEVE!

Will I be reading more from this author? Yes.

Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe is a delightful romantic comedy that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. The story follows Hallie Barrett, a producer who's just been dumped by her ex-boyfriend who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. With her job on the line, Hallie is desperate for inspiration and finds it in the most unexpected place. Enter Hayden Hargrove, a cryptid expert with a hit podcast, who Hallie invites to lead his own web show.

The chemistry between Hallie and Hayden is palpable from the very beginning, and their on-screen presence is electrifying. As they delve deeper into the unknown mysteries of cryptids like Mothman and aliens, they also discover feelings for each other that challenge their beliefs and shake them to the core. Mallory Marlowe has done a fantastic job of weaving together a charming and funny love story with the thrill of the unknown.

Overall, Love and Other Conspiracies is a must-read for anyone who loves a good romance or a mystery. Mallory Marlowe has created a world that is both whimsical and grounded in reality, and her characters are lovable and relatable. This book will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my review. This debut comes out this August.

Conspiracy theories, aliens, Area 51, Nessie, Bigfoot AND a romance novel… what more could I want exactly? If you know me you know I love a good conspiracy. This book was literally so fun to read because of it.

Hallie is such a fun FMC and I also loved Hayden too, a literal dream book boyfriend. I hated Cade, and you will too.

Add to your TBR if you’re looking for a super different story, not the typical they fall for each other in the end.

I was so damn excited about this and I was not disappointed! My BuzzFeed Unsolved/The Watcher obsessed self was literally screaming when I started this. The characters are adorable and honestly so loveable. The dynamic Mallory created between the two was absolutely perfect and the banter... chefs kiss!

Despite it being funny and a bit out there, it also touched on very real things, like self doubt, toxic relationships and grief. This was the whole package for me and I cannot wait until it comes into stores so I can make everyone buy it.

Wow, what an incredible debut!! I requested an egalley of Love and Other Conspiracies because I enjoy reading about cryptids, and it wound up being the perfect book for me. Hallie is a producer at a BuzzFeed-type digital media company, and she needs a new video series to work on after her emotionally abusive ex kicks her off a project. Despite being a skeptic about the paranormal, she is enchanted when she stumbles across the work of cryptid expert and podcaster Hayden Hargrove. The two team up to launch a show together, going on ghost hunts, cryptid-hunting camping trips and Mothman-inspired adventures.

This isn't a paranormal romance and no aliens or yetis are ever found — it's a very grounded story about the joy of opening yourself up to believing in other people after having your heart broken by abuse and loss. As an abuse survivor and a content creator, I loved both Hallie's recovery and her career. TBH I felt personally targeted by this book and it's an immediately a new favorite.

What a fun concept for a book! A conspiracy theorist and nonbeliever! I loved the dynamic between the couple in this book. I did get bored at some parts in the book but overall it’s a great read!

This was such a fun comfort read. I loved the dynamic between the characters, and the bits of drama and heartache were great without overtaking the storyline. It was exactly what I was looking for in a rom-com.

3.5 - thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This is a cutesy little read with some heavy themes behind it. Overall, I really enjoyed the story, even though I think there are moments where I felt very frustrated with the characters and like the story was getting a bit repetitive.

I loved this book so much! It was like a more fun, lighthearted modern version of the X-Files. Hayden was such a great character as well.